Rep. Mike Lawler, R-New York, told ABC News on Sunday that he supports the re-election of Republican Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, saying he is critical to issues such as certifying President-elect Donald Trump's election. warned.
MPs are scheduled to hold an election for the Speaker's post on Friday, but Johnson has been criticized by Republican MPs in recent weeks after a chaotic vote on the original 1,574-page Continuing Resolution (CR). facing criticism and questions about their leadership. On ABC News' “This Week,” host Jonathan Karl asked Republicans about their thoughts on Johnson and wondered if they believed the House speaker could and should be re-elected. presented.
“Yes, yes. The fact is that Mike Johnson inherited a disaster when Matt Gaetz and several colleagues united with 208 Democrats to remove Kevin McCarthy, but this is me goes down as the stupidest thing ever seen in politics. That being said, it would be equally foolish to fire Mike Johnson.The fact is, these guys are playing with fire and are somehow more conservative. If you think you're going to get a speaker, you're kidding yourself,” Lawler said.
“Mike Johnson is probably the most conservative chairman ever elected president. We did the job. Frankly, despite the best efforts of some of the same people who are now calling for Mr. Johnson's removal, we kept the House of Commons because there are seats like mine.” Lawler added. “Let me be clear: I will not bend to their will, just as I did against Kevin McCarthy.”
Johnson will be the fourth House Republican candidate for speaker in October 2023, after former Republican California Rep. Kevin McCarthy was ousted from his position in a motion led by former Republican Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz. He won the chairmanship in April. Mr Johnson enjoys support from his colleagues, but has recently been questioned after introducing provisions in his CR that will cost hundreds of billions of dollars.
Lawler also pointed out that the Republican majority in both houses of Congress has given Trump “a mandate to govern,” and that fighting for speaker would be a “waste of time.” he warned his fellow Republicans. (Related: Mike Johnson loses Republican credibility just before key speaker election)
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“So if they somehow think that firing Mike Johnson will ultimately put them in a stronger position, that's not the case,” Lawler continued. “I think the bottom line here is that Donald Trump has been given a mandate to govern. He has majorities in the Senate and House of Representatives, and he has the ability to control America on the economy, borders, energy policy, and foreign affairs. There is a lot of work to be done on behalf of the people, left on Donald Trump's doorstep by Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.”
“We can't get anything done without a chair, including the certification of President Trump's election on January 6th. So wasting time with pointless internal food fights is a joke. My colleagues , if we learned nothing from the 118th Congress, I think we should never need a fight for the speaker's seat,” Lawler said.
On December 18, Kentucky Republican Rep. Thomas Massie became the first Republican House member to publicly say he would not support Johnson's re-election, saying he would vote for “someone else.”
Republican Pennsylvania Congressman Scott Perry I refused Johnson publicly voiced his support this week, telling Fox Business' Maria Bartiromo that Johnson had done a “great job under tough circumstances” but that he “kept his options open.” ” he said. Additionally, Andy Harris, Chairman of the House Freedom Caucus, said Fox Business said Thursday that Republican lawmakers need to “consider what is the best path forward.”
President Trump has expressed support for Johnson since he became Speaker of the House of Representatives, but the former president has been particularly quiet about the congressman's future re-election efforts. However, Johnson Saw During the Army-Navy football game on Dec. 14, he met with Trump, Vice President-elect J.D. Vance, and other Republican allies.
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